But I can't find any loads for this round in any of my four reloading manuals. Got nice 205 grain .329" bullets and Prvi Partizan brass. Waiting for my Lee dies to come in, and hope it had some loads listed, but I would really like to immediately start by having the correct powder on hand. What I got in the house for rifle is 414 and H4895.

Anybody got some recipes?

8x57 should be 0.323" ???

Great cartridge. I am assuming you are shooting it from an M95 Steyr-Mannlicher. I lucked in to 200 lead cast 210 gr .330 bullets a couple of months ago and I have not had a chance to work up a load for them.

If you get a chance, shoot some of the Nazi surplus. It kicks like a short barreled Mosin-Nagant. If you shoot it at dusk, you are in for a treat. The muzzle flash must be 3 feet long.

I got started here:
www.handloads.org/load...mp;Source=

I posted some of my loads here:
www.reloadersnest.com/...iberID=533
(scroll down to bottom)

Mine liked the IMR4895 best. Be prepared to get all kinds of stares at the range. People don't know which looks weirder, the cartridge or the gun.
I have a few more loads, but I will have to dig them up. They are on a hard drive that is homeless right now.

Here's mine:

jeh7mmmag wrote:

8x57 should be 0.323" ???

8x56 - different cartridge.

8x56R Hungarian Mannlicher:
205gr-bullet IMR 3031 40gr.

P.S. 8x56 Mannlicher-Schoenauer. .323 bullet.

KW.
I am not familar with the round but from what I found looks like 0.329"
Maybe someone knows better?
Thanks

www.encyclopedia.com/d...86514.html
If the Graf/Hornady, bullets disappear, Lee suggests sizing jacketed .338" bullets down to .329" in their .329" sizing die. Their only caveat is the resulting bullets may not be accurate if the jacket should spring back and separate from the soft core after sizing. It's worth experimenting with though.

Another interesting bullet option is Graf's 100 grain, .330" FMJ RN designed for the 8mm Lebel revolver (No. GRB330100). Use cast bullet loading data for the 7.62 Russian, .30-40 Krag or .303 British for a good reduced velocity loading.

OK, you should be able to glean something usable out of this:

Quote::

8x56R 2.20" case lenght 3.02" OAL w/208 gr. spitzer BT Some load data is courtesy of Lee Precision Inc. and other contributions from members. * indicates Lee precision. Thanks to all. 125 gr. bullet, 37.7 gr. H4198 max 42.0 gr. 3054 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 49.4 gr. H380 max 55.0 gr. 2909 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 52.1 gr. H414 max 58.0 gr. 2893 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 45.8 gr. H335 max 51.0 gr. 2891 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 42.2 gr. H322 max 47.0 gr. 2840 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 45.8 gr. 4895 max 51.0 gr. 2796 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 44.9 gr. BL-C(2) max 50.0 gr. 2789 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 41.9 gr. Reloder15 max 46.8 gr. 2760 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 40.9 gr. Reloder12 max 45.0 gr. 2720 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 50.3 gr. H450 max 56.0 gr. 2509 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 48.5 gr. H4350 max 54.0 gr. 2480 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 53.0 gr. Accur4350 max 53.0 gr. 2418 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 53.0 gr. Accur3100 max 53.0 gr. 2185 fps* 125 gr. bullet, 54.5 gr. Accur8700 max 54.5 gr. 1788 fps* 150 gr. bullet, 36.8 gr. H4198 max 41.0 gr. 2848 fps* 150 gr. bullet, 48.5 gr. H380 max 54.0 gr. 2778 fps* 150 gr. bullet, 50.3 gr. H414 max 56.0 gr. 2773 fps* 170 gr. bullet, 44.0 gr. H4895 170 gr. bullet, 41.3 gr. H4895 max 46.0 gr. 2501 fps* 170 gr. bullet, 47.6 gr. H414 max 53.0 gr. 2586 fps* 170 gr. bullet, 39.5 gr. H322 max 44.0 gr. 2555 fps* 170 gr, bullet, 44.0 gr. H380 max 49.0 gr. 2509 fps* 170 gr. bullet, 48.5 gr. H4350 max 54.0 gr. 2507 fps* 185 gr. bullet, 26.0 gr, XMP-5744 198 gr. bullet, 46.0 gr. 3031--2310 fps 200 gr. bullet, 40.7 gr. Accur 4350 max 44.0 gr. 2039 fps* 200 gr. bullet, 49.0 gr. Accur 3100 max 49.0 gr. 1980 fps* 200 gr. bullet, 54.5 gr. Accur 8700 max 54.5 gr. 1692 fps* 205 gr. bullet, 13.5 gr. Red Dot 206 gr. bullet, 45.0 gr. 3031--2300 fps 215 gr. bullet, 13.0 gr. Unigue 1400 fps 220 gr. bullet, 46.0 gr. Accur 3100 max 49.2 gr. 1946 fps* 220 gr. bullet, 39.4 gr. Accur 4350 max 42.0 gr. 1906 fps* 220 gr. bullet, 51.5 gr. Accur 8700 max 51.5 gr. 1512 fps* 225 gr. bullet, 51.2 gr. H4831 max 57.0 gr. 2346 fps* 225 gr. bullet, 44.9 gr. H414 max 50.0 gr. 2342 fps* 225 gr. bullet, 41.3 gr. H380 max 46.0 gr. 2285 fps* 225 gr. bullet, 41.3 gr. H4350 max 46.0 gr. 2221 fps* 225 gr. bullet, 44.0 gr. H450 max 49.0 gr. 2145 fps* I've done more than a little work with 8x56R and have some experience with using milsurp IMR 4895. This powder may be a little too fast to give the best efficiency in 8x56R, but I have been satisfied with its performance. I have a hefty quantity of it and like to find uses for it. Here is some data that I have used: 205 gr. Hornady SP bullet .330 35.0 gr. IMR 4895 (milsurp) Fed. 210 primer Average muzzle velocity 1531 Standard deviation 13.16 This is a pretty light load and the charge could safely be raised to at least 40 gr. This is a very pleasant load to shoot. 225 gr. Hornady SP .338 resized to .330 40.0 gr. IMR 4895 (milsurp) CCI 200 primer Avg. muz. vel. 1796 Std. dev. 22.39 225 gr. Hornady SP .338 resized to .330 42.0 gr. IMR 4895 (milsurp) CCI 200 primer Avg. muz. vel. 1932 Std. dev. 19.51 Stout recoil; prints about 4 inches high at 100 yards in test rifle I do not recommend exceeding this load I like IMR 4350 for loading the 8x56R. As a slower powder, you can load to full charges and it still has less recoil than faster burning propellants. The slower burning powders have a longer burning curve and don't give that sharp slap of recoil. 205 gr. Hornady SP .330 48.0 gr. IMR 4350 Fed. 210 primer Avg. muz. vel. 1868 Std. dev. 26.8 I fired this load on the Silver State Gun Club 100 yard range in Beatty, Nevada. At 100 yards, this load was perfectly centered on the paper target. If you are really adventuresome, you can use this one: 200 gr. Hornady SP .338 resized to .330 39.0 grains of pulled-down European cut-sheet powder from milsurp Turkish 7.92x57mm ammunition (1947 date) WW primer Avg. muz. vel. 2045 Std. dev. 32.15 Same load as above, but using: 40.0 gr. pulled Turkish powder Avg. muz. vel. 2157 Std. dev. 26.32 repeat test on another day: Avg. muz. vel. 2154 Std. dev. 22.71 I do not recommend exceeding this load Commercial Graf headstamp brass was used in all of the above loads. No visual signs of high pressure were noted in any of these loads. This data was all taken using milsurp M95 Steyr short rifles. Use this data at your own risk, use caution, common sense, and accepted loading practices. Your rifle is different from my rifle, etc, etc. Since you mention Norma 205, how about this: 8x56R 225 gr. Hornady SP .338 resized to .330 46.5 gr. N205 Fed 210 primer Avg. muz. vel. 1865 Std. dev. 8.88 200 gr. Hornady SP .338 resized to .330 48.0 gr. N205 Fed 210 primer Avg. muz. vel. 1944 Std. dev. 28.50 200 gr. Speer spitzer .338 resized to .330 48.0 gr. N205 Fed 210 primer Avg. muz. vel. 2008 Std. dev. 26.38 I got a little smoking on the cases using N205 that I don't like; notice that the SD opened up some using the 200 gr. bullets. RL-15 is comparable to IMR 4895; I can get a little more speed out of RL-15 than 4895. 200 gr. Hornady SP .338 resized to .330 32.0 gr. Alliant RL-15 Fed 210 primer Avg. muz. vel. 1638 Std. dev. 19.42 This is a nice, light load. Compared to the IMR 4895 data, above, the RL-15 is a little more efficient in that a slightly smaller quantity gives a little more velocity. Since this load doesn't fill the case, recommend shooting with "powder down" as to do otherwise will cost you around 50-80 fps. 39.5/IMR 3031 & Hornady's 205gr bullet 45.0 gr/ IMR 4064 clocked in the 2050 range, and 47.0 grains was around 2135fps. * Lee .329" diameter 205 gr bullet w/ Hornady 32 cal GC. Lubed with Lee Liquid Alox and sized in a Lee .329 die. Alloy was wheelweights enriched with tin and linotype metal to approximate Lyman #2. * 25 gr IMR 4198 * Winchester WLR primer For well over 20 years, I have been using IMR 4759 powder for reduced charges in both jacketed and lead bullet loads. The following data reflects the use of that propellant. Cast lead bullet of 200 grain weight w/gas check (Lee mold) 20.0 grains IMR 4759 WW primer Graf case Average muzzle velocity 1424 Standard deviation 27.53 At 50 yards, the bullet impacted about 6 inches high from point of aim. Accuracy fair. Same load as above, but with a very hard lead bullet w/ GC cast from the Lee mold weighing 180 grains. Average muzzle velocity 1418 fps. Standard deviation 25.74 fps. At 50 yards, the bullet printed 6 to 8 inches high from point of aim. Accuracy fair. Also re-tried the following: Cast lead bullet of 200 grains w/ gas check cast from Lee mold 16.0 gr. H2400 Remington 9 1/2 primer Graf case Avg. muzzle velocity 1340 fps. At 50 yards, bullet printed 5-6 inches high from point of aim. Accuracy good. If fired at 100 yard targets, I suspect the point of impact for all of the above would come down significantly. Heavy bullet plus reduced charge equals looping trajectory. I also wanted to try the fairly new "Trail Boss" powder from IMR in cast bullet loads in this caliber. So, I put together the following load. Cast lead bullet of nominal 205 grains with gas check using Lee mold. 11.0 grains of Trail Boss WW primer Graf case Avg. muzzle velocity 1118.4 fps. Standard deviation 9.37 fps. Note: Wonderful SD, accuracy good, but at first hard to determine as this load at 50 yards printed so high that I had to aim below the paper to get it to print. Being completely off the one inch target grids, It's difficult to say how far off point of impact this one is when fired in my M95 Stutzen. The bullet has so much in-bore time with this light load and particular powder that the muzzle has plenty of time to climb before the bullet leaves the barrel. When I am playing around with reduced loads, I like to shoot on the 50 yard range. It's easy to figure out where the bullets are going. If we took this load to the 100 yard range, it might just print more like where we wanted it, as by that time the bullet would be in its downward trajectory. I don't think I am going to spend any more time on reduced loads for rifles using "Trail Boss" as there are cheaper powders that work better for this purpose. While at the range, I also popped off some jacketed bullet loads in this caliber, which I think I have already posted the data on. Just in case, they were: Hornady 205 grain jacketed spire point bullet .329 48.0 grains IMR 4350 Federal 210 primer Graf case Avg. muzzle vel. 1809 fps Hornady 205 grain jacketed spire point bullet .329 35.0 grains milsurp IMR 4895 Federal 210 primer Graf case Avg. muzzle velocity 1445

Excellent records. Thanks for setting us straight.

I never could find any reloading info for the 8 x 56R but I did find this in "African Rifles and Cartridges" by John Taylor:

".315 (8mm) Austrian Mannlicher. This is a flanged shell corresponding to the 7.9mm Mauser. I've seen a few of them in use, but not many. The B.S.A. people used to make a magazine rifle to handle it because of its low chamber pressure. Except that it has a lower pressure than the 7.9mm, the ballistics of both were identical; everything said about the Mauser cartridge would apply equally here. But men generally preferred the rimless shells for magazine rifles as it was found that they were less inclined to jam."

As for the “7.9mm Mauser”, or 8 x 57mm Mauser as we usually call it, Taylor says “This, the German caliber corresponding to the British .303, is a much better weapon. There used to be many men who swore by it for general use and were never happy if they didn’t possess one. It’s heavier bullet possessed much better penetration than the .303 and made it a better killer.”

Note that he is talking about using the original loads in these rifles: a 215 grain RN in the .303, a 227 grain bullet in the 8mm Mauser and a 244 grain bullet in the 8mm Austrian Mannlicher. Also he’s talking about their use on African game.

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

I never could find any reloading info for the 8 x 56R but I did find this in "African Rifles and Cartridges" by John Taylor: <snip>

The 8x56R is rather unique. It is an outgrowth of the 8x50R and it was used only by the armies of the Hapsburgs in the early half of the 20th century. The rifles that shot it were advanced for their time, but to the best of my knowledge, the only rifles that shot it were the Steyr infantry weapons of the Austro-Hungarians, namely variants of the M95.

The M95 uses a Carcano-style clip (actually the Carcano uses a Steyr-type clip, but more people are familiar with the Carcano than the Steyr). It is also a straight-pull bolt action, and can be operated very quickly.

The PPU Brass is good and made in a mil: Spec: Factory in Serbia The 8x56R round has a great history if you look into it, I Found a European web site about Steyr and it covered a broad history of this arms maker, they may have been one of the biggest arms makers/exporters in Europe prior to Mauser taking over as the predominate maker there after. It is worth noting that May of these rifles ( the Steyr M-95 Straight pull ) were re-barreled for the German 8x57mm Rimless round in the latter part of WW2 and that the 8x56R has a little more powder space than does the 8x57mm due to the fatter case of the 8x56R Hungarian round, It is a powerful round and any one lucky enough to own a full length rifle with a 29" barrel can have a lot of fun working up loads with slower powders like IMR4350,H4350, 760Win and the like with 185 grain bullets and heavier for liter weight bullets and up to the 185Gr(195gr) range H-Varget (AR2208 in Australia) or IMR 4064 IMR 4320 and 748Win and all such like powders Are by far the best choice, I consider the Likes of IMR-3031 while a very versatile powder to be just a bit to fast for this calibre? also with older Military arms with longer barrels I like to gain as much velocity as I can while keeping the pressure curve ( spike) on the gentler side Slower powders will do this for you Plus when combined with yesteryear's long barrels interesting things can be made to happen. As a note to reloading this round If you start just 1 or 2 grains under the data for the German 8x57m you should be very safe and just work up from there? the German Military load worked at 48,000CUP and this rifle was re-barreled to that round by the Germans, it seems to be quite a strong rifle for its time? But I would not push it past 50,000CUP Max The 7.62x54mm Rimmed Russian case strikes me as the logical choice of cartridge if you wished to re-barrel this rifle to 30 Cal? as its the same case body just 2mm shorter, while looking at the history of this rifle ( the Steyr M-1895 ) While many things were done to it in many Countries it seems that it never was chambered in 7.62x54mm Russian even when the Finish had then in the Army?? why I i don't know but it would be so easy to do that it strikes me as being the logical choice.

gandog56 wrote:

But I can't find any loads for this round in any of my four reloading manuals. Got nice 205 grain .329" bullets and Prvi Partizan brass. Waiting for my Lee dies to come in, and hope it had some loads listed, but I would really like to immediately start by having the correct powder on hand. What I got in the house for rifle is 414 and H4895. Anybody got some recipes?

H-varget and H4350 as well as IMR-4064 and IMR4350 will work well, use the slower powders if you have the long barreled rifle 29" barrel or the sightly quicker powders for the shorter barreled carbines Try Googling " reloading data for 8x56R Hungarian Steyr" there are plenty of web sites out there with some info on each one of them. other than that use normal German 8x57mm data and just start 1 or 2 grains less and work back up, the 8x56R has just a little more powder room, also WWW.ammoguide.com has data if you sigh up? in my research on the history of this round in Europe it tended to indicate that this round has /uses the German .323 Dia Bullet and I believe that My Rifle is .323" I must recheck that Also DON'T assume that the range markings are it Meters They ARE NOT The Austrians use a term that Iv forgotten now But I will find it and add it But it meant loosely paces thus a range marking of 400 is about 400 Paces of about 30Inches in length. this is some thing that I will research again and add here as a Up date. cheers From AussieHunter

Brilliant posts mate...hope Gandog56 is still around to take note of them.

Cheers, Vince

I see Tradeexcanada sell FMJ bullets for this gun . They are made by Privi and sized .330 . Weigh 208 grs and priced 44.00 Canadain .

So I would think cast bullets would be the way to go -once you had a mould made

AWESOME info. I have one of these rifles that I haven't fired yet. It sits on the shelf now as an example of another straight=bolt to go with the K-31's that I shoot. It came complete with all the extras - bayonet, sling, etc etc
Guess it's time to pick up another set of reloading dies . . . . . .